𝙷𝙰𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙳, ᴏᴜᴀᴛ²

THREE

(CHAPTER 3 - WE ARE BOTH)

🦢🗡

The dwarves were stood together at the town line, where Leroy spray-painted a red line across the road.

"This, gentlemen, is our mission, the great barrier of our existence. Does it remain? We must investigate the line," Leroy turned to them as he pulled out a small bag with straws inside, "I made straws. Short one crosses. Draw," Leroy said and the dwarves picked a straw, one by one.

"With the curse broken, we can cross, right? Should be no problem yeah?" Happy said.

"With magic back, it could be even worse now," Walter said, worriedly.

"Like, vaporize us," Doc said, worriedly.

"Let's go home," Bashful said and turned to leave.

"Guys!" the six other dwarves looked at Leroy, "We are the royal guard! Dwarves loyal to Snow White! This is our chance to prove ourselves to the prince. We must do this. Show your hands," Leroy said.

The dwarves opened the palms of their hands, showing the size of their straws and Mr Clark was holding the shortest straw, who sneezed twice.

"You're up, Snotty," Leroy said and exhaled deeply.

"You know, what if we found a turtle and sort of nudged it over first?" Mr Clark asked.

"Oh, for the love of..." Leroy pushed Mr Clark over the red-painted line and within a second, a magical force took over Mr Clark's body, causing him to shake as the others watched in worry, "Sneezy, you okay? Sneezy!" Leroy said.

----------<3----------

Meanwhile at the Town Center, people were trying to regain order after the breaking of the curse and the Wraith's attack. Some townspeople were gathered in front of a wall of missing people, while Athena, Nadia and Henry walked up to the crowd and looked at everyone.

Marco put up a picture of Pinocchio, "My boy. My poor boy," Marco said.

"If you are looking for a family member, come to the front table. If you need counseling, Dr Hopper has a signup sheet," a siren wailed in the distance, "If the wraith damaged your house, there are cots at the school," Ruby called out.

Athena and Nadia both exhaled heavily, "Hey," they looked down at Henry, "It'll be okay," Henry said.

Mother Superior rushed to Ruby, "It's getting out of hand. People are in a panic," Mother Superior said.

"It's okay. It'll be fine. We just need everyone to remain calm. I have a feeling our prince is working on something right now," Ruby walked away towards Athena, Nadia and Henry, "Hey," they looked at her, "Anything on our prince?" Ruby asked.

"Nope," Athena said as Nadia and Henry shook their heads.

"Red, give me something good to do, so I don't rip the Queen's head off," Nadia said.

Ruby handed her a clipboard, "Keep everything running with me and the nuns...fairies...you know what I mean," Ruby said.

"Do I have to call everyone by their fairytale names now?" Henry asked.

"Call us whatever you're comfortable with, kid," Nadia said.

"What are you doing?" Henry asked.

"Cursed names but real nicknames...like with Ruby, I just called her Red. David is David, kind of a bore," Nadia said.

"I would say that's true, but I can't talk when I don't have a cursed name either," Athena said.

"So, you missed the entire curse?" Ruby asked.